[Ad- gifted product] It’s been a while since we wrote about the last science kit that we did, the Luminescence kit from MEL. This time we sat down with the MEL Science Polarized Light kit, another box from their MEL Science Physics range, a range that’s designed for a slightly older audience than a lot of the kits out there. As I said previously, the range is really professionally made, with a clean minimalist box design and that carries through to the instructions as well.
We actually use the included instructions and keep them afterwards, but the fact that there’s a well-designed app that goes alongside the range is really cool; not only does it talk you through each experiment but it’s also needed in order to access the extra, complementary experiments that come with each box. It’s worth noting that there’s also some cool VR stuff that you can do with it, extra activities and learning, and also there’s a way to chat to the box creators about the experiments if you wish. It’s really thorough.
The Polarized Light box included everything for three core experiments, that includes film, tape, glasses, a frame assembly and more. I really like the foam insert that seems to come with each of the boxes, although I am always very conscious of the amount of waste and non-recyclable materials that some of these subscription boxes include. All of that said, it is really great how they separate each of the components into groups based on the experiment that they are involved with, it’s all incredibly professional and deliberate feeling.
The first of the experiments revolved around how polarizers affect light, while the second explored how you could make tension visible. The third was what really captivated Kai the most; For that one, you created a large frame and applied layers of tape in order to cause the light to shift when looked at through a lens, or through the glasses. He thought this was fascinating and once he’d figured out what was going on he really got to work seeing how far he could push it by putting layer upon layer of tape over each other.
We probably spent about an hour with the Polarized Light kit, with a decent lump of that being Kai adding lots of extra layers to the frame. He’s a relatively fresh-faced secondary-school student, but the way that the instructions are handled means that I can – if I choose – leave him be with the box on his own. We tinkered with the app afterwards, and the frame (and glasses) are currently on his desk in his room… I’ve seen him tinkering with it in the days since we finished it, which is exactly what you hope for when you complete projects like this.
We’ve taken a look around the MEL Science site and, frankly, there’s a lot of other exciting activities that are coming up in future boxes (just look at the Electrostatic Touchscreen one) so we’re both happy and eager to keep tinkering with the kits for the foreseeable future.
That is so cool!!! I love the light kit, super cool. These DIY projects are the best, so much fun.
DIYs mixed with education are really fun for kids!
My daughter is only 3 but she’s already loving science activities and experiments. This one is worth a try once she gets a little older!
It is so good for when she grows!
This looks super cool! I’m always looking for new STEM ideas for my kids and this activity looks great!
It is a great subscription!
This is super cool and I would love this kit! I always asked for science kits when I was a kid. Very cool.
I never had anything like this before, to be honest, but would have loved them as a kid.
This science kit looks awesome. I’m sure my son would have enjoyed this polarised light kit too.
It is a really lovely kit!
Children’s toys and kits are numerous but I’m really impressed with this one for older children. It’s an excellent way of extending their skills and knowledge under the guise of having fun. Very satisfying for them, too.
My grandchildren would love this science kit 🙂
Oh wow, these look absolutely amazing, fun but very educational, my nephew would spend hours doing these.
So cool will have lots of fun thanks
My son likes science, so I think he’d like this.
My daughter loves aything STEM esque so this would go down really well
My kids would really enjoy these!
this is so good education and fun together
I’m sure that the young teenager in my family would find this fascinating.
This looks great! We have always wanted to try this.
My kids would love this science kit.
My science loving daughter would be thrilled with this
This looks great and lots of fun for the kids
Love it!
Great prize…..
my grandchildren would love this
Love this give away looks cool and different I know someone who would like this.
This is so cool!
Loving the science mixed with fun in this kit!
Looks like fun, perfect project for summer
Great prize!
looks fab, love the DIY aspect
I’ve always wanted to try these kits as our children are home educated but they’re a bit out of our price range at the moment so it would be amazing to win this!
My daughter would love this
My son would love this, especially with the extra VR stuff!
Perfect for my daughters. Send it this way please…
What a great looking Science kit, the light kit looks cool!
lovely for my grandaughter primrose
this looks awesome
thanks for the chance
Looks really interesting and fun
Fantastic for my daughter!
This looks like it would be super fun to do with the kids. An activity we could all take part in
This would be great to try and win for my nephew.
I know that my niece would love this, so I’d give to her if I was lucky enough to win.
My kids would love this. Thanks for the comeptition.
If I won, I’d gift this to my grandchildren who I’m sure would like it.